Chelsea have been handed a boost in their quest to sign Dries Mertens. (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

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Though the Premier League campaign is currently suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus crisis, it is not stopping the high volume of transfer gossip and speculation from meandering its way across the league.

The campaign has been at a standstill since mid-March and that has meant that transfer gossip and speculation has taken centre-stage in the absence of on-field action.

And for Chelsea, it is no different, with head coach Frank Lampard, in the absence of matches and being able to spend time on the training ground with his players, thrashing out his plans ahead of the next transfer window, though when it may open remains anybody's guess because of the global pandemic.

One player that is being heavily tipped with a summer switch to Stamford Bridge is out-of-contract Napoli striker Dries Mertens, who the Blues showed an interest in signing back in January.

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Lampard is desperate to bolster his attacking ranks in the next transfer window, with Mertens believed to be at the very top of his wishlist.

With that in mind, here is a round-up of everything we know so far about Chelsea's interest in landing the Napoli ace.

Mertens' contract

The 32-year-old is yet to agree a new deal with Napoli and is available on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the season and is able to sign a pre-contract agreement with club's outside of Italy as of January 1st.

Mertens has been a huge success since moving to Napoli from PSV Eindhoven, with 118 goals in 304 games across all competitions.

However, all the signs are pointing towards the two parties splitting at some point in 2020.

Arsenal approach

The report states the north London outfit have contacted the Belgian with a view to him making a free transfer to the Emirates Stadium at the beginning of July.

Mertens makes decision

In a huge blow to Chelsea and other suitors, it would seem that Mertens looks set to stay put.

Di Marzio claims the Belgian wants to commit his future to Napoli.

Discussions are said to have resumed between the parties and the Serie A side seem to be open to a possible extension.

Chelsea open talks

According to Di Marzio, Chelsea are 'serious' about signing Dries Mertens and are in negotiations with Napoli.

Dries Mertens greets the Napoli fans after the Serie A match against Udinese. (Image: (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images))

The report also claims that Mertens' possible arrival at Stamford Bridge would make it more likely that Olivier Giroud is allowed to join Tottenham.

According to the same outlet, the French striker is currently wanted by Spurs, with Jose Mourinho ready to offer a one-and-a-half year contract.

Napoli make decision

According to The Guardian, Chelsea have turned to Mertens after fearing that they have missed out on Edinson Cavani.

However, Napoli are keen to keep the striker for at least the last six-months of his contract, which could make a deal complicated to do.

The report also claims that Mertens himself is keen to see out his contract at the Italian club, with him only being four goals away from being the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

Should Napoli decide to cash in, it is claimed that they will be looking for a fee of at least £7 million for the Belgian, with Chelsea likely to have to offer an 18-month deal of at least £150,000 a week.

Last-ditch move

Chelsea will reportedly launch a last-ditch move for Mertens.

Napoli do not want to sell the striker before he leaves at the end of the season.

But the Mirror state that Chelsea still feel they can make an offer good enough to land the attacker.

Jorginho's Instagram message to Dries Mertens

As spotted by CalcioNapoli1926, Chelsea midfielder Jorginho and Dries Mertens still keep in touch via social media.

In fact, last season Jorginho uploaded an image of his video call with his former Napoli teammate to his Instagram account. Read here

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Napoli chief offers Blues hope of sealing signing

Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has offered Chelsea a boost in their hopes of signing Mertens, who has scored 12 goals this season, with the news that he is not prepared to offer the Belgian international a two-year contract that is worth more than €3million-per-year.

Mertens is demanding a new two-year contract extension worth €4million-a-year, as well as asking to have his fine cut following the internal mutiny last November, a report by Sport Witness claims.

Though this does hand Chelsea a boost in their quest to sign Mertens, as it suggests he will not be renewing terms with the Italian club, it does present the Blues with the possibility that agreeing a wage with the striker could be tricky.